Tag Archives: Acting

Interview With A Hitman Review

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Raised in the harsh slums of Romania, Victor knows the value of life more than most, which makes him the perfect killer. But after being betrayed by the very men who made him, he must fake his own death and escape to London. Here he joins a new gangster family and finds his rules are again put to the test in the midst of a vicious underworld power struggle.

Viktor is now better, faster and more ruthless than ever before. With the secrets of his past refusing to fade away, an encounter with a dark beauty turns his world on its head and offers him the chance for a new life. But can he ever escape the existence he was born into? It is not long before a deadly threat from a past he thought long buried surfaces and he is forced to change his path. It is time to face that which cannot be forgotten.

Luke Goss plays Viktor, the anti-hero of the film. Viktor is a cold-blooded killer and you really shouldn’t like him, but in the end you do, just a little anyway. Goss is brilliant in the role. He really is an actor of note. Someone should give him a lead role in a Hollywood film soon. The reason you like his unlikeable character is because of his depth of range. He is not playing a character, he is playing a person. There are so many layers and so many ‘what ifs’ that you somehow relate to his character and empathise with him. This is of course due to the talent of not only Goss, but also writer/director Perry Bhandal who Frost Magazine has interviewed.

This film is a triumph. It makes you think and really involves you. Not many of the characters are likeable but you’re still interested in them. Interview With a Hitman may be a low-budget film but it is a very good film. Great entertainment. Very well done. A must see for everyone, but especially for low-budget filmmakers so they can see how high the bar has been set.

Bob Hoskins Has Parkinson’s

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Acting legend Bob Hoskins has announced he has Parkinson’s and is to retire from acting. The British actor has over 70 film credits to his name. Hoskins was diagnosed last autumn.

The 69-year-old actors publicist released this statement on Wednesday:

“Bob Hoskins wishes to announce that he will be retiring from acting, following his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease last autumn. He wishes to thank all the great and brilliant people he has worked with over the years, and all of his fans who have supported him during a wonderful career,”

“Bob is now looking forward to his retirement with his family, and would greatly appreciate that his privacy be respected at this time.”

Other legends that have Parkinson’s include Muhammad Ali and Micheal J Fox. Micheal J Fox sometimes still acts, he was recently seen in The Good Wife.

We wish Hoskins all the best.

Man on a Ledge | Film Review

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Man on a Ledge is a smart, fast-paced thriller. It is very much a ‘cinema’ film, and by that I mean one of those films you watch just for pure entertainment.

An ex-cop (Sam Worthington) is jailed for a crime he says he didn’t do and manages to escape from prison. He later threatens to jump to his death from a Manhattan hotel. He asks for a female police psychologist (Elizabeth Banks) who tries to stop him jumping. As the film unwinds we see that things are not as straightforward as they seemed. The plot has lots of twists to keep you entertained.

I really liked Elizabeth Banks’ performance. She known as a strong comedic actress but is equally good in this thriller.

A lot of this movie was filmed on a real ledge, a brave move by Sam Worthington who suffers from vertigo. Jamie Bell plays Worthington’s brother. Bell is fantastic in the film and so is Mandy Gonzalez as his girlfriend.

Ed Harris is as amazing as ever as the villain of the piece. I really don’t want to give too much of the film away but it really is worth a watch. Rent or buy for a good night in.

Man on a Ledge is pure entertainment. It is just a fun film which has the benefit of having brilliant actors in it. The acting really is top notch.

Sonic Editions: Impossibly Cool Photography

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Sonic Editions produces limited edition, rare, photographic prints of iconic figures throughout time. It’s everyone from Audrey Hepburn through to Jay-Z. There’s some great shots of the likes of Michael Jackson, Sophia Loren, Michael Caine, Al Pacino and Clint Eastwood

The Sonic Editions team has visited the Getty archives in LA and went through 2,000,000 images or so to pull out some totally unseen images.

These specific images are limited to fifty of each and they start from £69. Each image is numbered so that they know what number they own, as well as containing details about the photographer and when it was shot.

Caggie Dunlop On Spencer, Music and The Kardashians.

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Caggie Dunlop and Catherine Balavage

I met Caggie Dunlop at the W Hotel for a VIP screening of the short film she is starring in for Impulse’s new fragrance ‘Loving Words’, which smells amazing and you can read about here. I had a brilliant, fun chat with Caggie. She is the kind of girl who you feel would make a brilliant friend: lovely, smart and talented. After the interview has finished Caggie says that our interview was the best of the evening. Shucks: thanks Caggie.

Catherine Balavage: You must be very proud of the film.

Caggie Dunlop: Yeah, I am really proud of it. I actually only saw it for the first time this evening just before everyone arrived so I was a bit nervous, but I really loved it. I thought it was great. I think it is a lovely story

Quite French

Very French. Well that’s the theme and my styling is very Brigitte Bardot. I think that really lends well to it.

What is your favourite film?

True Romance.

What are you wearing? You look Stunning.

Virgos Lounge. They are an online store which is kind of vintage inspired. They do really pretty little dresses. And this is from my clothing line. [points to necklace].

You are really branching out into different areas: you have a sex column for the Evening Standard, you have the clothing line, and the acting.

And music.

Yes, that is how we first saw you wasn’t it?

Yeah, I have a lot going on, but I am not doing the Evening Standard anymore. It was very fun doing it but I am not doing it anymore.

It was very Carrie Bradshaw

Yeah, and it was great and it was fun playing that role but I really think music is where I want to go.

What would you choose between singing and acting?

Everyone asks me this. It is like saying ‘choose between your mum and your dad’, but in terms of career I don’t know, but if you said to me: ‘you could never sing again’ I would have to choose that over acting because I love singing. It just makes me happy to sing on my own. It came about quite randomly. When I sang on the show that was the first time I had ever sang in public. I have had to decide what I really want to do.

How was the acting experience?

I went to drama school and I studied acting so for me it was kind of what I wanted to do, and then when Made in Chelsea came along I got side-tracked from the acting because that was what was available to me at that point in time. The acting world is quite a tricky one. You really have to work it out. I had a great opportunity on Made in Chelsea. The acting is definitely something I want to go back to.

What does your Tattoo mean?

Sanatana Jiva. It means the never-ending and the never beginning spirit, and this [points to tattoo, specifically to the ‘J’ bit] this was for a boy who I’m not seeing anymore! [No!] It’s fine, I’m not bothered. It’s a nice tattoo.

Are you seeing anyone now?

No. I am very very spinster single

Aw, you are too young to be a spinster.

I’m happy being single.

You have so much going on with your career….

Yeah, it’s kind of like I need to focus on that at the moment and I don’t have time to focus on a relationship unless I find someone who has a complete understanding about what I am doing.

What is your clothing line called?
ISWAI. [Spells it out] I.S.W.A.I.

How did you come up with the name?

It’s an acronym for ‘It Started With an Idea’. The idea of it is about starting something new and organic with new talent, so young designers who are at school or university are designing the clothes. They get involved and hen they design an idea that I give them.

It that your motto in life?

I think so, yeah. It’s a very good one. It’s a more business thing. Though maybe not in an ethical situation.

You were the first one to leave Made in Chelsea

Yes I was

You were the biggest star and the main focus. Do you think it was a good idea to leave?

Leaving? A lot of people would argue that ‘why would you leave something when you were the central character and it was at its height of popularity and you just walk away from it with no explanation’. For me I stopped believing in what the show was about. It was a very good opportunity but I always wanted to do different things. I am very grateful for what it gave me and what I gained from it. Now I can go and become my own person.

It really has an effect on your own life and that’s not necessarily a good thing.

A lot of people are leaving now. Hugo’s leaving.

Yeah, Hugo’s leaving. I don’t know how much longer it will last but I wasn’t enjoying it and my heart wasn’t in it anymore and if something doesn’t feel right you have to go with your gut.

Would you do anymore reality TV like Spencer is doing with The Bachelor?

I would never do anything like that show. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with Spencer doing it. We are very different people, but I actually value my privacy. That could be considered a ridiculous thing to say coming from a reality TV show. I would never close any doors but it’s not in my plan. If it was something more documentary, like my music, something like that.

Who is your favourite film director and if you could work with any director who would it be?

Woody Allen or Tarantino. I think that would be a pretty crazy experience.

Did you enjoy making the film?

Yeah, I enjoyed making the film. We had to do it in a day, and it was a full on day. It was raining really badly but morale was up.

Do you have any plans to go the Hollywood Route?

I haven’t been to LA yet. So I can’t really say whether I would end up there. Watch this space. Maybe in a few years time.

Do you think doing Made in Chelsea helped you learn how to be in front of a camera?

Yes, I mean I studied method acting so it was all about being private in public. With Made in Chelsea you are having very private moments with five cameras on you. It is more staggered than people imagine. If you know anything about filming you know that you can’t create those scenes just by us walking into a bar and following us. It is all quite organised. In that sense it was helpful but then reality TV doesn’t really help in acting. It’s probably more acceptable in America.

Do you watch any reality TV like Keeping Up With The Kardashians?

I do, I love the Kardashians. I am so excited. Has the new season started now?

I think so. I saw a poster.

I do love that and I like the American ones. I don’t really like the English ones.

What do you think of Kim dating Kanye West? Are they a good couple?

I think they are. It’s nice that they were friends for ages. They are the ultimate power couple.

They are.

I’m surprised but they seem really into each other.

What’s next for you?

I am realising an EP hopefully in September. So I am developing that at the moment, which is really exciting, because for once I am in the public eye for something that I am putting out. The music is taking centre stage at the moment, but I would love to do some short films on the side and slowly developing that on the side.

Grabbing it with both hands.

Exactly, you only have one life.

What are your musical influences?

Ah, I listen to a lot of Matt Corby, who is this Australian singer who is very singer/songwriter: guitar and vocals, but also there is something quite challenging about his music, it’s really quite beautiful. I also love Jessie Ware. I have been listening to her a lot.

Do you still spend a lot of time in Chelsea?

Yeah. I was in Sloane Square today. I do spend a lot of time there, but because of what I am doing I am kind of all over. If I am gigging [ I could be in] Manchester or Shoreditch. I do love Chelsea.

Who is your favourite actor and actress?

Michael Fassbender in terms of actual ability. I think he is amazing. In terms of who I fancy: Ryan Gosling, but he is also a very good actor. He is a bit more mainstream. An actress…who was the girl who was in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

Noomi Rapace

Yeah, her. I watched that for the first time the other day and I was blown away by it.
She’s brilliant.

She is fantastic. She was in Prometheus too.

No! She’s not! I was watching an interview with her and she was talking about how Ridley Scott picked her, and she said something about the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I was thinking ‘why has he picked this random women? ‘

She’s brilliant.

Yeah, She’s fantastic.

Are you going to do anymore writing?

Not in that nature. I would like to write a poetry book which is half poetry, half what is was like growing up. I’ve written poetry since I could write so I have volumes of poetry. Poetry is such an under-rated thing.

How do you keep fit?

I am quite bad. I go through phases of being hard-core. There is a place on the Fulham Road that I have joined called Lomax. I go there and they kick your ass, but in a good way.

What beauty products do you like.
Loving Word by Impulse, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream.

Jane Frisby On ‘The Fighter’s Ballad’ | Film Interviews

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Jane Frisby is without a doubt one of the nicest people in the film industry. I met up with her to discuss a superb film she had just produced –  ‘The Fighter’s Ballad‘. We had a brilliant chat and anyone who wants to work in film can learn something by listening to her advice.

Frost: What made you want to go into producing?

JF: ‘I was getting a lot of low-to-micro Budget Film scripts, wanting the same commercial
actors attached, either urban hoodie ‘gangsta’ films or Horror / Zombie type scripts,
usually not very original or amazing.

“I met Peter Cadwell putting ‘The Fighter’s Ballad’ on as a play. It received the ‘Best of 5 Theatre Plays’ in the Independent Award, and the Play’s Writing by Peter Cadwell and his acting got fantastic reviews, so the writing had already been much appreciated by Critics and the Public. Peter had already done the play to great success at the ‘Actor’s Church’ with great Actor Jack Shepherd playing the Priest, but to a limited Audience, it needed to go bigger, it had been done as a ‘theatre piece already, and I put my producers hat on. It just happened like that. It wasn’t a conscious decision.”

What was the hardest thing about making the film?

“Getting the money… I started with wealthy friends that I knew, public funding, private investors and it just wasn’t happening. Then luckily our Director Tony Ukpo’s father, had investor contacts in Nigeria. That is where the money came from. We were very lucky.”

Did you cast it?

“Peter Cadwell was cast as he had written it, and is also a WONDERFUL actor, but I cast Clive [Russell] and all of the rest.”

What drew you to the script?

“It had so much to say. It was very relevant of life these days. The youth – what have they got now? Education isn’t up to scratch, lack of work, mental health, people on the streets, violence, drugs. Where do they channel that energy? The fact that this guy ends up in a church and has this confrontation with the Priest. It’s controversial and asks questions of the Audience and it challenges Religion and the Church – there were so many issues I felt were very thought-provoking”.

What was the initial first step?

First Step: there were actors who really loved the script, but were unavailable, Clive’s Agent called me and said he wanted to meet as he was interested, we all met him a few days later and he came on board the project, Which was amazing news, this is how the project started.

How are you going to get it out there?

“The easy part was shooting it actually! Then obviously the post-production, the colour grade, the sound, the music. Getting it out there has been very difficult. We went through the usual channels of trying to get into festivals, we did a BAFTA screening, which was fantastic – a good friend of mine managed to get BAFTA for half price. We invested in that and invited a lot of people. We also did a screening at Soho house and invited people to come.

“The public response has been amazing. We put it up online and in the past few weeks we have had 600 people come to the website from all over the world. I am now looking at doing charity screenings – there are a lot of deserving charities out there – and religious screenings, going down that route. I want to do more screenings, as when the public sees it, it creates a lot of buzz. We are doing that as well as going down the normal route of sales agents.”

Do you have any advice for people who want to make their own films?

“Do it. Just do it. If you have a project and you feel like it should be made and you are passionate about it, then somehow you will get it done. Somehow, you will find a location you will get for nothing or cheap. Just get a group of people surrounding you who are as passionate as you are about it.”

How hard was it to juggle doing the film and working as a casting director?

“It has been very tough actually. There have been times when I have been pulling my hair out trying to get people to screenings. I didn’t realise how hard it would be. Trying to work and do my job while casting a corporate or a commercial at the same time, whilst also looking after my daughter who is 15 – It has been a massive amount of balls being juggled – but sometimes you work well under pressure.”

Would you ever want to direct?

“Never. I love casting and I would love to do even more producing. I like working with actors that I rate and having control of the project from script stage to final edit”.

What made you choose the actors?

“When I read the script I had a vision of someone like Liam Neeson. I also thought of the priest as being a big man. I had a vision of this man being a mountain of a man, and he would be quite weathered because of his past. I have always remembered Clive from the RSC. He is a very subtle actor and also 6′ 4” and big.

“I think with him being Scottish as well, there is that sort of Celtic lilt to his voice. Talking to a fellow Scot. [CB: I’m a Scottish actor] Well, I’m not Scottish but I love Scottish actors, Irish actors – I have an apartment in Dublin – and the Welsh. The Scottish are great actors. There is something about Celts. The way the speak is just lyrical.”

What changes have you noticed in the film industry?

“The biggest change is the digital cameras. They have been absolutely massive and you can buy them for £1,000. We shot on the Canon 5D. It’s a stills camera, but the quality is good for film. That has opened up a lot of people being able to make films. I think that is a good thing because it enables a lot of people with not a lot of money to make good quality films. The independent filmmaking scene should be really buzzing now. The one thing I worry about is people trying to make indie films with little money, but trying to make them commercial as well.”

What advice do you have for actors?

“Learn as much as you can. Read screenplays, do workshops, go to masterclasses, go to the theatre, go to the cinema, There are loads of social networking events you can go to. Watch other people’s short films, especially if you really like the director. You never know where they are going to end up. That happened with me on a film that I did and I loved it.

“A short film I cast got into the North London Film Festival and I got in touch with the director/writer of this lovely short I saw there. Two years later, he got in touch and asked me to cast his short. It is social networking, keeping in touch with what’s going on.

“The first person to give me a commercial casting was Mel Smith. My dad had been around Soho handing out plastic frisbees with ‘Jane Frisby Casting’ on them. I got a phone call one evening and this guy said it was Mel Smith. He said., ‘I am doing a commercial and I want you to cast it. I loved the Frisbee’. So I started working with Mel. It’s things like that.

“It’s hard. There is a lot of work there for very little pay, but I think that is across the board – acting, casting, everything. I am casting this short with a wonderful Director Jack Price who I have worked with many times in the past in Bristol. There is lots of talent there. I did that just for my train fare. It’s not all about making money. If you are passionate and you want to work, you just have to keep doing it.”

Like ‘The Fighter’s Ballad’ on Facebook.

The Fighter’s Ballad OFFICIAL TRAILER from Tony Stark on Vimeo.

http://www.thefightersballad.com/

Something Happening For Kids | Theatre

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When: 21 July 2012. 10.00am – 5.00pm

Where; The Place

Robin Howard Dance Theatre

The Place presents Something Happening For Kids, a full day of dance performances and activities specially curated for children (aged 11 and under).

Choreographer Darren Ellis is restaging extracts of his latest work Long Walk Home, which portrays a series of four women, each at a different stage of their lives, as they analyse their hopes and their dreams, accompanied by atmospheric live music by the folk band Askew Sisters. Alongside them, The Place’s First Moves, the youngest dancers (aged 5-8) from the Children and Youth Dance programme, will show two new pieces in the round and up-close.

Darren Ellis is also performing in After Effects, a powerful solo piece in which the human body is at the core of an interactive sound and light performance with a modified acoustic drum kit.

Circus dance artist Ilona Jantti will premier the fantastically imaginative HUHU, commissioned by The Place, in which a web of ropes and architectural devices will create the backdrop for an urban chase, combining circus, contemporary dance, animation and the idea of the city’s space.

Author Michael Rosen will recite his much-loved We’re Going on a Bear Hunt in a series of participatory readings, in which the magical story will be brought to life by dance artist Joanne Moven.

Shuffle, The Place’s new junior dance company, will complete the programme with Lookout, a dreamy and suggestive site-specific piece, originally created for a window overlooking the river Thames.

A series of workshops, ranging from percussion and dance, and movement and play will also be available, allowing the young participants to explore rhythms and create movement to live musical accompaniment.

Ilona Jäntti, HUHU

12pm – 12.30pm / 3.15pm – 3.45pm

Robin Howard Dance Theatre
Suitable for all ages

Darren Ellis Dance, LONG WALK HOME + First Moves 1+2

10.45am – 11am / 11.30am – 11.55am

Studios 1 and 2
Suitable for all ages;

Darren Ellis Dance, AFTER EFFECTS
11.30am – 11.50am / 1pm – 1.20pm / 2.30pm – 2.50pm / 3.45pm – 4.05pm.

Founder’s Studio

Michael Rosen, THE BEAR HUNT , with Joanne Moven
1pm-1.15pm / 1.45pm – 2pm / 2.45pm – 3pm / 4.15pm – 4.30pm
Studios 1 and 2

Suitable for all ages; A selection of Michael Rosen’s books will also be available to purchase on the day.

Shuffle Dance Company, LOOKOUT
STUDIOS 9 & 10;

10.30am – 10.40am / 11am – 11.10am /11.30am – 11.40am

WORKSHOPS

Percussion/Dance Workshops with Helen Clarke & Mark Ball
Using dance, musical instruments and body percussion, young dancers will have lots of fun exploring rhythms and creating movement to live musical accompaniment. Please wear loose comfortable clothing.
10am – 10.30am (3-5 yrs)
11am – 11.30am (5-7 yrs)
12.45pm – 1.15pm (8+ yrs)
2pm – 2.30pm (5-7 yrs)

Movement Play & Free Play with Louise Klarnett

These classes are for babies from 3 months with a parent or carer. Classes provide babies with a movement, sensory and rhythmic experience in a playful environment supported by their parent or carer.
Please wear loose comfortable clothing.
10am – 10.45am (parents and babies/toddlers: 3 months-3 yrs)
11am – 11.45am (3-5 yrs)
1.30pm – 4pm Movement free play

Dance Workshop with Laura Aldridge
Fun dance workshops with a circus theme. Please wear loose comfortable clothing.
10am – 10.30am (5-7 yrs)
11am – 11.30am (3-5 yrs)
1.30pm – 2pm (8+ yrs)
2.15pm – 2.45pm (5-7 yrs)

PLUS…

Social Dance silent disco; Arts Activities; An all day Weirdy Beardies hair salon; Soft play
Outdoor picnic area; Free buggy park; Baby changing facilities; Special children’s menu.

Tickets and information: 020 7121 1100

The Place, Robin Howard Dance Theatre, 17 Duke’s road, London WC1H 9PY

Price: £6 single ticket and a group of four £16

A child’s ticket includes access to one workshop. Please book online or call the ticket office. These are subject to availability

www.theplace.org.uk

CAGGIE DUNLOP CASTS HER SPELL IN ‘THE WALK’

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Star of Made In Chelsea captivates passers-by in new silent movie

Made In Chelsea’s Caggie Dunlop has returned to the streets of Chelsea to star in a new short silent movie, entitled ‘The Walk’. Frost Magazine went to the W Hotel to see the film and we also interviewed Caggie. Caggie was brilliant in the film and was absolutely lovely. Caggie even said that her interview with Frost was the ‘best of the evening’, and you can read it here.

Shot in a style reminiscent of classic black and white silent films, the movie follows Caggie as she takes a walk around her regular South West London haunts. As she strolls through the streets of London channeling Brigitte Bardot’s 1960s glamour with her voluminous hair and smouldering makeup, Caggie leaves a trail of men transfixed in her wake.

After captivating everyone from an ice-cream seller to a painter, the secret to Caggie’s mesmerising allure is revealed in the final scene of the film as ‘Loving Words’, the fresh new scent from Impulse.

The fruity fragrance, designed by the world’s best perfumers under Ann Gottlieb, creates an air of romance making Caggie so irresistible to the men she encounters, she doesn’t need to utter a single word to have them falling at her feet.

Laura Grant, Assistant Brand Manager, Impulse said, “Impulse ‘Loving Words’ is such an irresistible fragrance, it does the flirting for you so there’s no need for words. We wanted to demonstrate its power by removing words entirely from the film. We felt there was no better way to showcase the ‘wordless’ love story than by taking inspiration from timeless silent movies.

“Caggie’s short on-screen stroll left her with a series of smitten admirers, the possibilities for spontaneous romance are endless!”

Watch the film, ‘The Walk’